In Practice

Successful removal of a penile constriction wedding ring in a rural area

A Fhima, N Lahouel

Abstract

Background. Penile strangulation is a rarely described medical emergency. Removal of the strangulating object is challenging, with a lack of proper guidelines.

Objective. To describe the challenges faced during an attempt to urgently remove a metal object (wedding ring) constricting an erect penis.

Methods. We report a case of penile strangulation with a wedding ring in an adult man who presented at Van Velden Hospital casualty department, Limpopo, South Africa, and review the related literature.

Result. The ring was successfully removed using an aspiration technique (via a pink needle).

Conclusion. No proper guidelines exist for the treatment of this condition, so the ‘best method’ is the one with a successful outcome.